Drafting table



H. F. ACKERMANN, JR

DRAFTING TABLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FAQ-2 Dec. 18, 1962 Filed Feb. 8, 1962 Dec. 18, 1962 H. F. ACKERMANN, JR 3,068,610

DRAFTING TABLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 8. 1962 Dec. 18, 1962 H. F. ACKERMANN, JR 3,068,610

DRAFTING TABLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 8, 1962 m m 4 I mm w w Q Q Q hm mm 2 3.

nit ta" This invention relates to drafting tables, and has particular reference to features that facilitate handling and using drafting paper.

In one of its aspects, the present invention enables the draftsman to obtain and cut off a sheet of drafting paper, from a factory prepared roll of drafting paper, with ease and accuracy.

customarily, a roll of drafting paper is kept on top of the drafting table or placed on a shelf nearby until ready for use. The roll of drafting paper is awkward to handle as is, and is diflicnlt to cut to the precise size.

Accordingly, an important object and accomplishment of the present invention is to provide means whereby, the roll of drafting paper is kept in a fixed position on a shaft underneath the drafting table with the shaft held in a position to be rotated, manually, on its axis. When needed, the drafting paper is withdrawn from the roll that is on the shaft and carried over to the top of the drafting table.

Another object and accomplishment of the present invention is to provide a guide for cutting a sheet of drafting paper to the desired size, and squarely, from the withdrawn roll of drafting paper and while the drafting paper is law'ng flat on top of the drafting table.

It is also customary for a draftsman to place the upper portion of a sheet of drafting paper, that is being worked on, near the front edge of the top of the drafting table with the lower portion of the sheet hanging over the edge of the drafting table, or rolled onto a cardboard tube. When using the sheet of drafting paper in this manner, it is inconvenient to work and the sheet is easily damaged.

Therefore, another object and accomplishment of this invention is to provide a receiving tray, placed directly under the front portion of the top of the drafting table. Through a slot, near the front edge of the top of the drafting table, the lower portion of a sheet of drafting paper that is not being worked on at the time, is pushed through the slot and onto the receiving tray, out of the draftsmans way.

Furthermore, with this invention, the draftsman has the option to draw on the drafting paper while the drafting paper is still attached to said roll. The drafting paper can be shifted away from, or near, the front edge of the top of the drafting table by rotating the before mentioned shaft. Also, when shifting the drafting paper on top of the drafting table, the drafting paper can be kept in a parallel posi tion, thus saving effort and eliminating inaccuracy when shifting the drafting paper to meet existing lines that have been drawn on the drafting paper.

Moreover, the present invention contemplates a drafting table having all of the above features built into one complete unit.

Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention disclosed herein will be apparent to persons skilled in the art after the construction and operation are understood from the within description. 1

It is preferred to accomplish the various objects of this invention and to practice the same in substantially the manner as hereinafter more fully described, and as more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational View of a drafting table embodying the present invention.

3,068,610 Patented Dec. '18, 1962 FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the drafting table, the opposite side being similar.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the drafting table showing the slot and the cutting guide forming a part of the invention.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of a typical cradle that is used to support the shafts and screwed to the front legs of the side frames.

FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view of FIGURE 4 showing one end of a shaft engaged in the cradle and a retaining collar mounted on the shaft.

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 showing the other end of the shaft engaged in a cradle with two retaining collars mounted on the shaft and a handle attached to the end of the shaft for manual turning.

FIGURE 7 is a view of one side of a typical wheel showing the four fins symmetrically arranged around a cylinder and the side of the wheel, mounted on a shaft and used to engage the end of a roll of drafting paper.

FIGURE 8 is a side elevational view of FIGURE 7 showing how the fins taper from the side of the wheel down to the end of the cylinder, and a hub-retaining collar attached to the opposite side of the wheel, with the complete wheel assembly shown mounted on a portion of the shaft.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of FIGURE 1 to show how the pressure arm works in relation to a roll of drafting paper that is mounted on one of the shafts.

FIGURE 10 is a front elevational view of the pressure arm shown in FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is a cross sectional view through a portion of the top of the drafting table taken on line 33 of FIG- URE 3 showing the moulding onto which the cutting guide is mounted and how the receiving tray is latched to the moulding.

FIGURE 12 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 1 to show the relationship of the various features embodying the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 a drafting table having a suitable base A upon which is mounted a frame and being indicated in general by the letter B. The frame B supporting the various features of the present invention.

The frame B being substantially mounted on the base A and consisting of two identical sides, both designated by the numeral 2, and held in spaced relation to each other by cross struts 3 and 4 attached to the front legs of the sides 2, and a cross strut 5 at the top of the rear legs of the sides 2, see FIGURE 12. Thus, the cross struts 3, 4 and 5 rigidly hold the sides 2 in their proper spaced relationship to form the frame B.

Referring to FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 is shown a typical cradle 6. Two of these cradles 6 are screwed onto each of the front legs of the side frames 2 and in a position directly opposite each other. The cradles 6 are shaped to hold and to permit the two shafts, both designated by the numeral 7, to rotate on a horizontal axis. An opening 8 is provided for lifting the shafts 7 out of or from their resting positions and handles 9 are connected to one end of each shaft for manual turning. The shafts 7 have removable retaining collars l0 bored to fit onto the shafts 7 and are provided with set screws 11 for holding the collars 10 in a fixed position on the shafts 7.

Referring to FIGURES 7 and 8 is shown a typical metal casting consisting of a wheel 12, a cylinder 13, four fins 14 symmetrically arranged around the cylinder 13 and one side of the wheel 12, and a hub-retaining collar 15 on the opposite side of the wheel 12 and provided with a set screw 16 for holding the complete metal casting in a fixed-position on theshaft 7. The fins 14 tapering from paper'in afixed position on the shafts 7.

l l'eferring to "FIGURES 9 and 10 is shown-a pressure arm 17, one of each being mounted onto the cross struts '3 and 4behind-each shaft 7 The pressure arm 17 presses against a roll-of drafting paper 18 that is mounted on the shaft 7 and keepingthe roll of drafting paper intact on said-roll when the shaft 7 is turned. The pressure arm 17 is pivoted at either end and at the top to move on the pins 19. The pins '19 being fastened to the bracket 20 'at either end a'ndthe bracket 20 made to slide horizontaljly in either direction, and parallel with the shafts 7, on the tracks 21 and 22. The tracks '21 and 22 being screwed to the cross struts 3 and 4.

The pressure arm 17 is provided with springs 23, one

end of each spring 23 is connected to the pressure arm 17 =at-either side through a hook 24 and the other end 0f ea'ch'sp'ring 23 is connected to the bracket 26 at either "end through a hole 25.

The drafting board 26 has attached thereon two identical side runners 27. The side runners 27 are spaced eve'nl'yon the underside of the drafting board 26 to be 'directly on top of the sides 2 of the frame B. The

runners 27 are connected to the drafting board with metal angles 28 screwed to the runners 27 and the drafting board 26. The runners 27 form a cantilever to support the front section of the drafting board 26 forward of the front legs of the frame B, thus allowing leg room when "sitting at the drafting table.

The runners 27 are connected to the sides 2 with hinges 29for' tilting the drafting board 26, and adjustable brackets 30 on each side for holding the drafting board 26 at the desired angle, see FIGURE 12.

Directly under the front portion of the drafting board 26 is a receiving tray 31. Rods 32 are fastened at either side of the rear edge of the receiving tray 31 and held in position to pivot in cradles 33 screwedto the runners 27.

The cradles 33 being similar to the cradles 6 on the front legs of the sides 2.

Referring to FIGURE 11, the front edge of the receiving tray 31 meets the'r'noulding 34, with the receiving tray 31 held to the moulding 34 with latches 35. The moulding 34 runs the complete width of the drafting board 26 and is attached at either end to the runners 27 and separated parallel from the front edge of the drafting board 26 leaving a slot 36. The moulding 34 has thereon attached a cutting guide 37 running the full length of the moulding 34 and recessed flush into the top of the moulding 34.

Referring now to FIGURE 12, the shafts 7 each have mounted thereon a roll of drafting paper 18. When ready for use the roll of drafting paper 18 is pulled from the end and laid over the top of the drafting board 26. The drafting paper 18 is then pulled even at both sides to lay fiat and even on top of the drafting board 26, after which a sheet of drafting paper can be cut from said roll, with a square edge and to size, by inserting a knife blade into the cutting guide 37 at one side of said drafting paper and drawing the knife blade through the groove 38 of the cutting guide 37. The unrolled portion of the drafting paper 18 is rolled back onto said roll by turning the handle 9 on the end of the shaft 7.

The lower portion of a sheet of drafting paper, that has been cut from the roll of drafting paper 18, can be placed through the slot 36 and'rest on the receiving tray 31. This is to enable the draftsman to work on the upper portion of asheet of drafting paper, in a convenient posi- 'tion near the front edge of the drafting board '25, with the lower portion of said drafting paper out of the draftsmans way.

The drafting paper can also be used while still attached to the roll of drafting paper 18 that is mounted on one of the shafts 7. By opening the latches 35 and allowing the receiving tray 31 to drop open (31a) and then removed from its pivoted position, the end of the roll of drafting paper 18 mounted on the uppermost shaft 7 can then be pulled from said roll and pushed through the slot 36 from underneath, laid over the top of the drafting board 26 and then replacing the receiving tray 31 back to its pivoted pdsition again andlatched.

The roll of drafting paper 18, on the lowermost shaft 7, can be 'used for making tracings on top of the sheet that is still attached to the roll of drafting paper 18 on the uppermost shaft 7, with the cutting guide 37 free to be used for cutting other sheets from the roll of drafting paper 18 on the lowermost shaft 7.

While only a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown in the annexed drawings and described in the specifications above, it is contemplated to cover any variations, changes and modificationsof the example of the invention herein chosen for the purposes of the disclosure, which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention set forth in the appended claims.

What 1 claim is:

l. A drafting table comprising, in combination, a suitable base upon which is mounted a frame, said frame being rigidly secured to the top of said base, said frame consisting of two identical sides spaced in direct relation to each other and rigidly connected by cross struts to the front legs of said side frames and a cross strut con nected to the rear legs of said side frames, two shafts mounted on the front legs of said side frames, means provided for said shafts to rotate on their horizontal axis, said means being formed cradles shaped to hold said shafts at either end and provided with openings for lifting said shafts clear of their resting positions, said formed cradles being screwed to said front legs of said side frames and spaced in opposite relation to each other, retaining collars bored to fit said shafts and provided with set screws for fastening said collars to said shafts at the necessary position on said shafts for keeping said shafts in proper alignment on said cradles, metal castings mounted on said shafts for holding rolls ofdrafting paper in a fixed position on said shafts and to be rotated with said shafts on the same horizontal axis as said shafts, said shafts being rotated by handles attached to one end of each shaft, said metal castings comprising a wheel having a cylinder extending out from one side of said wheel, four identical fins symmetrically arranged around said cylinder, said fins extending out from one side of said wheel and symmetrically arranged around the one side of said Wheel, said fins tapering down from the one side of said Wheel to the end of said cylinder, a hub-retaining collar on the opposite side of said wheel and provided 7 with a set screw for holding said metal castings in a fixed position on said shafts, said metal castings being centrally bored to fit said shafts.

2. The combination as recited in claim 1, pressure arms mounted behind said shafts, said pressure arms made to move horizontally in either direction and parallel with said shafts, said pressure arms exerting pressure against rolls of drafting paper mounted on said shafts to keep said rolls of drafting paper intact on said rolls, said pressure arms connected at the top on either side to pivot on pins, said pins being fastened at either-end of a bracket, said bracket held in position on tracks, said tracks being fastened to said cross struts placedbehind said shafts, said cross struts being connected at either end to the front legs of said side frames, said cross struts being placed one above the other with the above cross strut slightly to the rear of the bottom cross strut, springs connected at either side of said pressure arms, one end of said spring being connected to hooks on said pressure rams and the other end of said springs .5 being connected to said brackets at either end through holes at either end of said brackets.

3. A drafting table comprising, in combination, a suitable base upon which is mounted a frame, said frame being rigidly secured to the top of said base, said frame consisting of two identical sides spaced in direct relation to each other and rigidly connected by cross struts to the front legs of said side frames and a cross strut connected to the rear legs of said side frames, two shafts mounted on the front legs of said side frames, means provided for said shafts to rotate on their horizontal axis, said means being formed cradles shaped to hold said shafts at either end and provided with openings for lifting said shafts clear of their resting positions, said formed cradles being screwed to said front legs of said side frames and spaced in opposite relation to each other, retaining collars bored to fit said shafts and provided with set screws for fastening said collars to said shafts at the necessary position on said shafts for keeping said shafts in proper alignment on said cradles, metal castings mounted on said shafts for holding rolls of drafting paper in a fixed position on said shafts and to be rotated with said shafts on the same horizontal axis as said shafts, said shafts being rotated by handles attached to one end of each shaft, said metal castings comprising a wheel having a cylinder extending out from one side of said wheel, four identical fins symmetrically arranged around said cylinder, said fins extending out from one side of said wheel and symmetrically arranged around the one side of said wheel, said fins tapering down from the one side of said wheel to the end of said cylinder, a hub-retaining collar on the opposite side of said wheel and provided with a set screw for holding said metal castings in a fixed position on said shafts, said metal castings being centrally bored to fit said shafts, pressure arms mounted behind said shafts, said pressure arms made to move horizontally in either direction and parallel with said shafts, said pressure arms exerting pressure against rolls of drafting paper mounted on said shafts to keep said rolls of drafting paper intact on said rolls, said pressure arms connected at the top on either side to pivot on pins, said pins being fastened at either end of a bracket, said bracket held in position on tracks, said tracks being fastened to said cross struts placed behind said shafts, said cross struts being connected at either end to the front legs of said side frames, said cross struts being placed one above the other with the above cross strut slightly to the rear of the bottom cross strut, springs connected at either side of said pressure arms, one end of said springs being connected to hooks on said pressure arms and the other end of said springs being connected to said brackets at either end through holes at either end of said brackets, runners fastened to the underside of a drafting board, said runners being hinged to said side frames and spaced directly above said side frames, said runners cantilevered forward of said frame, a moulding fastened to the front ends of said runners, said moulding running the full width of said drafting board and separated from the front edge of said drafting board to leave a slot, said moulding being parallel with the front edge of said drafting board, a cutting guide running the full width of said drafting board, said cutting guide being formed with a groove in the top to guide a knife blade for slicing a sheet of drafting paper, said cutting guide being recessed flush into the top of said moulding and rigidly fastened to said moulding, said cutting guide being parallel with said moulding.

4. A drafting table as defined in claim 3 in which a receiving tray is provided to receive and protect the lower portion of a sheet of drafting paper that is pushed through said slot from the top of said drafting board, said receiving tray being placed directly under the front portion of said drafting board and sloping downwardslightly from the front edge to the rear edge with said receiving tray extending at either side slightly short of said runners with said receiving tray having rods con nected thereon at the rear on either side to pivot on cradles connected to said runners, an opening provided in said cradles for lifting said rods clear of their resting positions, the front edge of said receiving tray having a moulding running the full width of said receiving tray and attached thereon, said moulding of said receiving tray shaped to fit flush at the bottom of said moulding containing said cutting guide and said moulding on said receiving tray having latches and said moulding containing said cutting guide having strikes to receive said latches to hold said receiving tray in a fixed position under said drafting board.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 414,067 Mohun Oct. 29, 1889 2,015,368 Ryan Sept, 24, 1935 2,641,082 Stults June 9, 1953 2,703,468 Sheinwald Mar. 8, 1955 2,904,926 Cifredo Sept. 22, 1959 

